For the first time in seven years, the Memphis Grizzlies have a closeout game against a playoff opponent when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 29 for Game 6.
They haven’t been in this situation since they were up 3-1 against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs.
The Grizzlies currently enjoy a 3-2 series lead over the Timberwolves in the 2022 NBA Playoffs, but it’s been an absolute slog to get there.
The Timberwolves stole Game 1 in Memphis 130-117. Memphis stormed back in Game 2 to win 124-96. The Grizzlies won again in Game 3, 104-95, only to lose by one point in Game 4, 119-118. Memphis defended home court in Game 5, winning 111-109 thanks to a spectacular 4th quarter from Ja Morant.
The Grizzlies have a chance to end the Timberwolves’ season if they win Game 6 at the Target Center. If not, the series will shift back to Memphis, Tenn. for a final and winner-take-all Game 7.
Memphis Grizzlies: 5 storylines to watch vs Golden State Warriors in second round of playoffs
The Memphis Grizzlies host the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals on May 1 at 2:30 PM CT. Here are 5 storylines to watch.
Memphis Grizzlies fans not happy with current NBA playoff schedule
If the Grizzlies are successful in defeating the Wolves in Game 6 on Friday, April 29, they will advance to the second round to face the Golden State Warriors.
Game 1 of the Memphis Grizzlies vs Golden State Warriors is scheduled for Sunday, May 1. That means the Grizzlies will end their series late Friday night, travel back to Memphis and arrive in the early hours of Saturday, April 30.
They will then have to turn around a play a brand new opponent with one full day’s worth of rest on Sunday, May 1 at 2:30 PM CT.
That leaves such little time to recover, prep for a new opponent and sell tickets to fans in the league’s smallest market. The Grizzlies are the higher seed in this hypothetical matchup (No. 2) vs Golden State (No. 3).
If, however, the Memphis Grizzlies lose Game 6 and have to compete against Minnesota in a Game 7, it will alter the schedule.
If needed, Game 7 will be played Sunday, May 1 at 2:30 PM CT in Memphis, pushing back the start of the round two matchup to Tuesday, May 3.
Fans are taking umbrage with the league in that the Golden State Warriors are getting a minimum of three days worth of rest before competing against the Grizzlies in round two (possibly as much five days).
The Grizzlies will have one day of rest and prep time regardless if they win Game 6 or win Game 7. It will greatly impact the higher-seeded Grizzlies will have in this second-round match-up.
Despite only going one game longer (hopefully) in the first-round series, the Grizzlies will get two days fewer worth of rest and prep time than the lower-seeded Warriors.
Regardless, the Grizzlies will be playing again on Sunday, May 1 at 2:30 PM. Whether that’s against the Golden State Warriors or the Minnesota Timberwolves will soon be determined.